DOJ: Aznar, Uy will yield

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Justice has confirmed that a fourth man who was convicted in the controversial Chiong case in Cebu has been released under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

But DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete said that the convict, James Anthony Uy, will surrender with fellow convict Josman Aznar this week.

“Just confirmed that he (Uy) was also released, but that he will also surrender with Aznar,” Perete told reporters in Manila yesterday.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reportedly released Uy on August 16.

Aznar was released together with Ariel Balansag and Albert Caño also under the GCTA. Balansag and Caño have since surrendered to authorities.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte gave all 1,914 persons released under the GCTA since 2013 to surrender within 15 days or they will be considered fugitives.

Public outrage over the early release of some high-profile convicts prompted lawmakers to investigate the implementation of the law, which deducts days from their sentences due to good conduct; and the suspension of the processing of inmates’ GCTA.

Sisters Jacqueline and Marijoy were raped and killed in July 16, 1997 in Cebu. In May 1999, a regional trial court in Cebu sentenced Balansag, Caño, Aznar, Uy, Francisco Juan Larrañaga, James Andrew Uy, and Rowen Adlawan to jail for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with homicide and rape; and simple kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The Uy brothers were reportedly minors when the crime was committed.

When the case reached the Supreme Court, the high tribunal raised the punishment to lethal injection but this was downgraded to 40 years in prison when the death penalty was abolished.

Larrañaga, being a Spanish citizen, has been serving his sentence in Spain.

Move to Leyte

Meanwhile, the convicts who were released under the GCTA and who surrendered in Cebu may be moved to Leyte where the nearest BuCor facility is located.

Major Niño Briones of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said they are just waiting for final instructions from the national headquarters.

“May initial information given to us na talagang dadalhin sila sa pinakamalapit na facility ng National Bilibid Prison, however, we are still waiting for the formal guidelines to be given or to be sent to us by the high headquarters (We got initial information that they will be moved to the nearest facility of the National Bilibid Prison but we are still waiting for formal guidelines from the national headquarters),” Briones said yesterday.

Because CIDG does not have enough jail space, the surrenderees are held temporarily in an office, but Briones assured they are guarded well.

“Andyan naman sila, well-guarded ng mga duties natin so we give the assurance to the public also na hindi naman yan makakaalis o makakatakas under sa pangangasiwa ng CIDG-7 (Our officers on duty are guarding them well so we assure the public that they cannot escape while in CIDG-7 custody),” he said.

Briones called on other convicts who were released under the GCTA to turn themselves in so no manhunt will be necessary once Duterte’s timetable lapses.

“Yung directive naman ng presidente is they are given 15 days… hindi pa naman nag-lapse yun… I would advise yung mga concerned na naging beneficiary ng tinatawag natin na GCTA na pumunta sila and surrender themselves (The president’s directive is for them to surrender within 15 days and this deadline has not lapsed just yet… I would advise those who benefitted from the GCTA law to surrender),” he said.

He said a tracking team is monitoring high profile convicts who have been released.

He explained that the suspension of the GCTA is the basis of the police in re-arresting the convicts by virtue of the president’s directive.

Conrado Cortes, a robbery and homicide convict who left jail under the GCTA, said he does not mind being transferred to Leyte. He turned himself in last September 5.

“Gusto lang namo nga ma-settle among paglaya… nisunod mi sa balaod sa bureau tapos nasangkot kami sa GCTA for sale na sinasabi… gusto namin na maayos ito sa maayos na paraan (We just want to settle the issue that we allegedly paid our way out through the GCTA… we just want to be released properly and legally),” he said. - Philippine Star